PROS & CONS of living abroad in France as a foreigner | Expat life
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- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2024
- Curious about the pros and cons of living in France long term as a foreigner? Here's my take on the top pros and cons about life in France as an expat overall after living abroad since 2012. They deal with French culture, adapting to the French way of life, travel, the bureaucracy and more.
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Salut! I'm Diane, the American behind the living abroad lifestyle blog Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond," so let me know what you want to see! I make videos on French culture topics, food, travel, language, and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!
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I’m a French citizen and have been living in the US for 19 years. When I saw the title of the video, I was ready to get upset facing the typical clichés from people who believe they know everything after spending 5 days in Paris.
At the end, I can’t agree more with every single point... the pros and cons but also the values to live in another country. I still learn something every day I have been in the US and living in another country is a wonderful experience. I learn that there is not only one way to do things. It’s just different from country to country. Expats who have bad experience are whose who try to recreate their environment from home and get frustrated because they don’t accept the difference. Great job on the video and thank you for sharing. Bonne journée.
True!! Experiencing it myself being a mexican living in France . You just have to go with the flow and accept and embrance the differences.
I really wanted to learn what living in France is like from a person that has lived there for a long time. I find it very educational for myself in case I ever decide to visit and understand other cultures different from my own.
I've been living here for 21 years. I was lucky because I spoke good French before I arrived. Thank you for your intelligent, balanced, and articulate reflections on life here in France.
You're welcome! Yes, it definitely helps to know French ahead of time. I had an intermediate level when I moved but was stronger then at reading and writing and had a hard time with oral comprehension -- classroom learning was nothing like real life. Now, I'm much better at speaking and oral comprehension but my reading and writing are less strong. I always tell people if you are looking to move to France, try your best to get up to speed w/the language ahead of time as much as possible.
@@OuiInFrance comprehension of spoken French is harder than with other European languages. My German and Spanish are very poor compared to my French, yet when I watch a movie in one of those languages I can make out every word. In French, I often can’t make out anything. There are way too many homophones, for one thing.
@@OuiInFrance this is typically what I hate with the tuition of French to foreigners. It is always super academic and disconnected from the daily practical French . The stupid thing is that they apply the same pattern all over the world. It certainly doesn't help foreigners with their integration. Kind regards from a local loire Atlantique neighbor.
I’m an American who has been living here in France for the past 5 years. The points you’ve made here are so accurate. I would emphasize the point about putting the effort in to learn the language. It can be incredibly difficult to manage the most basic tasks without having the ability to converse. I will definitely check out your other videos. Thank you!
Couldn't agree more. Learning the language is a must for sure!
WHAT? Are you kidding? Doesn't EVERYBODY speak English in the whole wide world? I don't believe you... 😦
@@jeanforest8060 😂 But even if it was true that all french speak English, if you want to live in a different country you should've want to learn everything about that country, language included and it's a matter of respect for the culture and the people! 😊
@@vervideosgiros1156 Idéalement, oui, mais... Je songe aux Américains retraités installés au Mexique ou encore aux Britanniques installés en Espagne ou au Portugal, sans compter ceux et celles qui sont mutés par leur entreprise... Combien parlent la langue de leurs hôtes? Même minimalement?
@@jeanforest8060 Je suis portugaise. C'est vrai, anglais, américains, etc., ne parle pas Portugais. Nous parle anglais, mais je trouve bizarre que vous vivre a autre pais et vous ne trouve important d'aprendre cette langue! Pardon, j'oblié Français un petit peu. Salut, de Portugal 😊
Oh my gosh. I had my closed captions on when this started.
It thought you said, Bonjour TUNA MOLD!’ 🥴😂😂
😂😂
I've been living in France for 7 years. I really enjoy and appreciate your videos. Thank you, again.
My pleasure!
As someone who is in the early stages of planning a move to France, it is great having your experience as well as that of others to draw on.
I just wrote in my notebook: "Living in France isn't a prize that you win, it's a decision that you make." So true! I've lived in France for almost one month now and your video validated much of what I've been thinking and feeling. Thank you!
You're so welcome, Lauren. Best of luck to you!
@@OuiInFrance thanks! I think your videos will help. ❤️
Totally agree with the pro - living abroad is a never ending learning experience and it keeps you on your toes, every day.
Great video Diane ! I’m Indian (8 years in the US) and moved to France last year (yes during the pandemic) with my French husband. So much of what you said resonates with me and really helps to know I’m not alone.
I came across your videos a little while back when you did the bakery tour and I immediately subscribed! I really enjoy your videos because they’re not “fluff” and you’re so well-spoken. Thank you!
Thank you Sarah, happy you're here!
Diane I really appreciate your channel. Dont mind the trolls they are miserable people. From your videos I get a better sense of what its like to live abroad and speak another language on a daily basis. I feel drawn to your channel because the practical part of me knows its not always sunshine and unicorns living abroad. One of my favorite videos was when you went on the boat tour through the canals. I never knew that was a possibility. Its something that my mom would enjoy if we went to France. A slower pace but still able to see a lot of beautiful country side.
I moved to France in 2009 from Canada and can totally relate to everything you brought up here! Thanks for being so articulate and fair in your approach to talking about life abroad. I feel heard!
Bro which country is best . Canada or France ?
Another list maker! I do find that if I write things out it becomes more clear. I do agree with your pros and cons. When we first moved to France it was for two years. My husband’s company gave him an excellent package and it included a trip back to the states for both us every year. My mom joked I saw more of them when I moved to France! Since COVID, the distance is even greater. One of the most difficult things for me, since I am a social creature, are friendships. Since we bought a house and are staying, I am really working on making social connections in our little village. If you’d like to see my area of France you 3 are welcome to visit!
I can relate to that. When I was working in Asia (during 9 years) my parents joked that they saw me more often than my sisters, who live 30min away 😂.
As a French living in the US, I agree with all you cons and pros!! Well done 👏👏👏
I want to move to France , so this is very helpful. I really appreciate your balance
I 100% agree with your biggest pro for living abroad. Yes, everyday we are forced to grow and growing hurts sometimes, but we learn so much from those challenges. I’m about to celebrate 3 years living in El Salvador, and I know there’s so much more to come, but I wouldn’t trade the growth I’ve experienced for anything!
I am always fascinated about how and why people end up living where they do. Oui in France, I would like to mention that no one can invalidate your experience or opinion without your permission. What anyone else thinks doesn't matter.
I lived in France for a year and I completely agree (and can relate) to every singly pro and con you listed. You nailed it!
Having lived mainly outside the US since 1992, you are such a breath of fresh air! Keep it up. Thank you.
Beautiful! Thank you for this. I had 3 brothers who lived in Paris for 15 years with work. They loved it and made the effort, they learned the language and always remembered they were visitors in this beautiful country. I loved to visit and saw everything you spoke about in your vlog. I especially loved if you got public assistance you had to work if possible such as the street cleaners. Your country is wonderful!
Thank you for your very honest review of the pros and cons of living in France.
I love your honesty about living in France. I have dear friends who live south of Paris in a small village in Fontainebleau and I have considered buying a place in the forest.
Appreciate that, thank you for watching!
Fontainebleau is not a village, it's a small town of around 15k people.
Wtf. Fontainebleau in the South of France? My God! Yeah, Boston MA is a tropical island!
Why is this so hard to understand? I wrote "south of Paris"... "village in Fontainebleau". I'm referring to Samois-sur-Seine. Look it up.
@@iparipaitegianiparipaitegi4643 Read again what John said. He's wrong about Fontainebleau being a small village, but he dis say that it's "south of Paris," not in the south of France.
Having lived in France for 2 years now, I agree with every word! A great video.
The "being away" con has definitely been amplified by covid.
Yup, agree 100%! COVID has made everything worse, that's for sure.
Yes I agree COVID has made it more difficult, been in France 4 years and missing family and friends so much
Love the video. I really can relate to that comment about wanting to be close to your family. My husband and I have always dreamed of living abroad and just picking up and going somewhere in Europe like Spain. But one of the things that always holds me back is the distance from our families who we are so close to. Anyways thanks for putting it so well into perspective and showing that it’s not all glamorous! .... and p.s thanks for the shout out!! :)
You're welcome!! LOVE THE PICS!! xoxoxoxo
15:00 Again, very good advice! I can relate! When I moved from NJ to NYC, to my surprise, most of my family didn't want to come across the bridge & visit me. We grew up being so close, but now no more.
You have no idea ... NO IDEA... how much I truly appreciate your channel and specifically this video! It is the video that i needed ... my plan is to move to France to be with my fiance after we get married and i constantly think about the points you mentioned! I try to focus on the pros but there is a heavy price to pay: leaving my loved ones (especially my parents who are growing old). I think about my kids not getting to be around my parents as much as i want to ... i think about how time will fly by so fast that they will be gone before i notice. I am also a creature of habit and afraid of change but I know deep down I need to be more flexible in order to develop as a person ... also the points you made about speaking French, i think about those too. I am very social and I get along pretty much with anyone but I am afraid that my insecurities regarding my ability to speak French with others will make me seem shy or boring or unfriendly. I feel lucky though, that you are here and i am learning a lot from you. You are incredible and I thank you with all my heart! much much love to you
Thank so much and it means everything to me that my content connected with you. Sometimes when I write and film stuff, I never know if people are relating or if I'm just going on and on (to that end, going to experiment with some shorter videos soon just to see). Comments like yours let me know I'm on the right path here, that sharing my experience and things I've learned really DO help others.
I think all the points you mention are things to carefully consider and maybe work through the cons even more than you initially want to, figure out coping strategies ahead of time, etc. Because you can find 100 pros to life in France quite easily and I tend to focus on them (and people think if you talk about the cons maybe it's negativity but it's actually being smart and real with yourself and life abroad. As I mentioned, I've come to love the challenge and how it pushes me).
I totally relate to you saying you want to be more flexible as a person and I feel that. That was me. I've made so many strides there and you will too. You will get better and French and find your place. I promise you that. One day at a time. It's so worth it living abroad but know that whatever choice you make will be the right one. I like to remind myself that if I'm still alive, I'm never stuck and always have options. You've got this!! xx
@@OuiInFrance Hi fr Connecticut... I am new to the channel.... i am interested in buying a small house but it is to be fixed & under $50,000 I want to fix it... what kind of visa do I apply for & MOST importantly how can I apply for the national health insurance in France when I am going back N forth? What is the requirement if I own land or a house there under $50,000 US dollars? Is there a MINIMUM requirement to have/apply for the French health insurance?
@@mela6046 Hi there Mel and welcome!
I'm not a visa expert so couldn't advise you there, but reach out to Denelle at Renestance. Her company specializes in helping people interested in coming to France, buying property, etc. and can point you in the right direction via a consult: www.renestance.com/ (i have no affiliation with the company)
Hope that helps and take care!
Why not take them (elderly parents) with you? The elderly are respected in France. They would keep fit with walking and shopping and life is much more pleasant .just simple real living.
I feel your vibes for missing home! It can be emotional. Thanks for sharing!!
Hello, I'm Indonesien who's moved in one of the France island for almost 2 years now. I work hard to learn French while at the same time try to adapt with French living style, learning the culture of French.This video has described well the way I feel. It's quiet frustrating when you cannot be yourself just because you cannot express with the way you speak usually before. The barrier of communication is so strong until it was almost break me down. But I keep motivating myself to surpass the stress and keep holding the hope that it shall passed soon. Thank you for the video, I don't feel that the feeling what I felt was wrong, infact : it is normal.
I'm down for a whole video on the French healthcare system.
Maybe I can do an overview of how it works and what I pay, etc. It's a monster to wrap your mind around and I feel like once I get going, I'd have a 30-min video that no one will watch. For next week, I'll have a video about going to the doctor, to at least test the waters to see if people find that stuff interesting. Appreciate the feedback. ;-)
@@OuiInFrance I had one experience with French healthcare when on a US Navy ship. I had broken a tooth while at sea, and was sent to a French dentist in Toulon. They put a prosthetic on the front tooth and did it quickly and painlessly. I’m assuming the Navy paid for it. But I hear a lot of negative stories, some of which are probably politically motivated hyperbole but some just the product of any large bureaucracy. So I guess that’s why I’m interested in your experience.
@@delcapslock100 What kind of stories did u hear ? :-)
@@claude_1c74 long waits (months or years) to see a specialist, endless bureaucracy, and I guess super high taxes.
@@delcapslock100 Endless bureaucracy ? False. Sometimes u must provide ur id or bills or prescriptions...but not endless !
A long wait to see a specialist ? Yes and no ! Depending if u get an appointment on the public sector or on the private one. A specialist can work for the both, but he she will charge a different fare.
Big taxes? Yes, unfortunately, and i say the problem of the system is the management . The system waste a lot of money hence the crazy taxes !
I'm English and have been living in the Vendee since 2007 (have had our house since 2000), so refreshing to hear someone talking about here in the real sense not through rose tinted glasses. My partner and I both knew we had to work, which involved learning the language, it's been a long hard slog. Have had it said to me so many times 'it's ok for you, you speak the language', yes but I've worked very hard at it. Best health care IMHO, certainly in my area. Love the fact that work/life balance is so much better. Love your take on the Prefecture, sooooooo true have lost my temper several times lol Taxes! OMG tell me about it! Partner is self employed plumber the cotisations!!! Ouch!!
"for experiencing my husband's home first hand by his side" SO DANG SWEET!
Bureaucracy is also a con from a French person point of view ! :-(
LOL.
As an American, the French bureaucracy is nothing compared to its American counterpart. Just try getting a driver’s license in Los Angeles or Houston. In France the people I have encountered are generally knowledgeable and efficient. Even getting carte de séjour was easier than expected. Just follow the instructions.
Lol my husband who is French doesn't want to ever move back to France because of the Bureaucracy.
In Italy is much worse
Those photos of you are gorgeous! Remote photography, what a great concept.
Thank you!
I would absolutely expect to learn the language of the country I moved to. I just wish people did the same when coming to the USA, although I do admire that most Europeans do seem to speak English as a second language.
Great words of wisdom! Your photos are stunning!
I am so moved by this video, by the truth I find in it. RUclips has so many “this is the greatest..” type videos…in a word, hype. And that’s ok, it’s what it is. But here, in my view, is much more realistic view, delivered with sincerity. I am just returning from from a failed attempt to live in Germany, and every word here rings true to me, especially her thoughts on language and the challenge being also a reward.
I’m not sure that I’d want to live in France, but I’m subscribing anyway, because content this good is rare.
Thanks for an incredible video.
I happened upon your channel after researching "French culture" because I want to learn more about France and I have to say I love your vids so far! It is a refreshing take on an American point of view on things! I have been studying the language and culture and will continue to check out your videos. Keep it up girl! :)
Thank you! 😃
As a Brit living 20 years in Italy (and moving back the moment the kids turn 18) I can assure you that all of the pros together do not compensate for the last con. As for the final “pro” - think about it, do you really want life to be a challenge, especially when you are elderly or sick?
Thank you for such wise and thoughtful content!
I am considering retiring overseas, specifically in France or Portugal. I am a Canadian who lived in France as a young woman, as well as China, the Canadian Arctic and South Africa. Your comments about what's so great about France, as well as living far away from home are spot on. On the other hand, I especially agree with your point about personal growth. It is truly a special person who can balance the comfort of the familiar with the challenge of new experience that helps us become more healthy, wise and kind.
I know it is a year since you made this, but I am so glad I found this. The pandemic and the being away, also isolation due to underlying issues, just has taken a huge huge toll on my daily life. I am lucky in many ways, don't get me wrong, but the struggles are also real, and it can be hard to talk about to others. So, thank you for sharing... it gives me the courage to say, ok it IS real, not just 'me' and to keep on going. So truly, thank you. (& am not in France, but will definitely check out your videos.) Best, Lynne
Really digging the Things I Love segment!
I understand the dilemma of being far from family. I live in the US in Arizona. I have 2 sisters, one in Washington state and one in North Carolina. Even before the Great recession in 2008 and the ensuing years of the economy never catching up, it is difficult to find the money to visit each other. My husband has 2 brothers. One in Australia and one in Hawaii. The same applies. Fortunately, we have phone calls, texting and email but the special times are when you wish you could experience them together. Also, when things are rough, it would be so great to be close to comfort and support each other. We have developed a group of friends that are like family here where we are and if we moved to be close to a family member, we would miss our friends! And so it goes...
Your pros & cons helped confirm my fears & excitement regarding wanting to live in France! Conclusion: I am trying to be able to have best of both worlds & live 1/2 &1/2 in my retirement!🤞
You can do it! Glad you enjoyed this one ;-)
....thinking about moving to france - this has been very useful, thanks so much
Glad it was helpful!
Diane: Great content--I think you made some great points! Looking forward to more bits of French live.
I love your photographs!!
Merci!! Carolina did a great job. ;-)
What intrigues me is how American you sound, but how French you LOOK. And yes, no matter how stereotypical, there IS a French look (like a German, Italian, or British look, and you have it.) I love France, I love The Loire, I love your channel
True, she has that smooth oval face without any crease or cuts and most French women has that look unless they have mixed ancestry
Ahaha I'm really curious about this "French look", French people talk to me in English whenever I am going to cities but I am 100% French 😅😅😅
I've been told by an American girl that I do not fit " French standards " but I've never ever heard in my whole life about French standards 😂😂😂😂😂
@@kellyle8878 if some one has an egg like smoothness on their face then you know it's French
Egg shape facial bones structure ? So round or oral faces ? 😅
That's interesting, I've never heard about this before 😁
Merci you are a good speaker and very interesting I am here from USA forever now into our 6 month
the info you gave is spot on love your shows
Excellent analysis of transitioning into a life in France. Knowing both the pros & cons allows one to make a more informed decision about whether or not to move there. Since it requires a lot of time & money & thought, it makes a lot of sense to really do your homework. The more you know (from people like yourself who have already made the move) the less surprises there will be.
Glad you found it helpful!
I bought a secondary residence in Lille in April 2023. I’m a retired French teacher from California. I’m still working part time as a substitute teacher, so I’m doing the 90 days every 180 days. For now that is working since it allows me to work when in the U.S. and be totally retired in France. I’m getting the best of both worlds. I want to eventually move to France permanently, but my significant other is very hesitant. He just started an absolute beginner’s class at the Alliance Française and is struggling. I help him as much as I can, but as an American who only had a little Spanish 4 decades ago, he has a very long way to go to get to an intermediate level of French. I hope he’ll change his mind once he learns more French, but he has agreed to spending 6 months a year in France eventually. I’ll be going to France alone for awhile since he’s currently launching a new career pathway in the U.S. Maybe he’ll be even more motivated to learn when he’s alone in the U.S. and I’m in France.
I lived in France and traveled when I was young and loved it. Like your
Videos
Your videos definitely put the correct words on my feelings about being an American living abroad in a francophone country long-term (it'll be 10 years in 🇧🇪 this summer) and it's very validating, so thanks for that🙂. Can you do a 'Things I love' segment on local Maine-et-Loire/Anjou food specialties one time?
Hi Laura, thank you and glad the video was relatable. ;-) I will definitely do that for a future segment! First, I have to go get them so hoping we don't go into lockdown. But will do!
Hello Diane, thanks for your honest comments. As you so well said, they are yours so please don't let any bad mouth influence YOUR reality. PS, France is beautiful country and on our last trip in 2018 spent a week in Angers and the Loire area:) Ciao from Montreal.
Fantastic! love listening to you. much info and very appreciative
Great video, and you touched on pretty much all the aspects of living away. France is a great place: I have family and friends there and visited several times. Maybe, someday soon, I'll be there again.
Very balanced views. You're great at this.
I don't live abroad, but I do live over 3,000 miles from any family and it's really tough and isolating. IDK if I made the right decision nearly 20 years ago now, but I needed a job and I love where I live, but it's been very lonely and my health has been affected by it, and, as you said, relationships have been damaged by the extreme distance. I think if I'd married and had a family here, that would have helped a lot.
These videos are so informative. I think, given how the world is so globalized and being able to actually function in the country, learning French can be a Pro. Knowing the language allows the foreigners to network and allows for upward mobility. Knowing the language can instill a certain level of trust in the natives who are able to understand you, thus allowing you to build real community instead of community clusters.
Great video! Thank you :)
I recently found your channel. You have valuable content. My son just finished a postdoctoral in France. Visiting last year was amazing. I am looking forward to more of your blogs and appreciate the transparency.
Wonderful video as usual!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Liked your video.You tackle the issues of living away from your “home”, which can be difficult for people. When we live in new places, we have to make it work for us. Learning the language, customs and exploring our surroundings make a huge difference. Integration into your new community is a challenge, but those who do it succeed. They don’t just stay as expats.
Thanks Diane for the well thought out lists.
You are so welcome!
Sometimes the decisions u make today u don’t realize the repercussions until years later. Relationships change even if u live close to family. Luv your videos. Thx for sharing
Being away from home is really a big challenge. I found it uneasy, just being 600 km away from home during the week during 7 years, for work, just in the same country (France). I can easily imagin how tougth it is, when being an expat far away from one's country.
I know your intro is "bonjour tout le monde" but now that I've seen the CC, your new intro needs to be "bonjour tuna mold". We will accept nothing else. Thank you.
Gotta love those auto-generated subs hahahah
I appreciate your insight and candor when talking about living long term in Europe or any other place in the world. I am a musician who tours Europe frequently and always wondered if I should ever move to France or any other country for that matter. You really kept your insight “Real” for an American term, ‘Keepin’ it Real’ lol and I think, from what I learned from your experience, that I would personally be better off living in the US for the long long term, but maybe could do a certain period of time. Until then I’ll keep coming back as a touring musician.
Considering of moving to France for education and found this video. Cool!
Exactly agree with the language! When you say ppl will think you have nothing to say or think you are shy or boring i am in that stage right now i can speak but not as i would like too its super frustrating sometimes that i prefer just to not say anything at all😅😂
Hang in there. I know that stage can be super frustrating. It gets better!
Merci Diane! I really enjoy your videos. The was particularly interesting to me. I think because of covid I've been reassessing my life. Thinking maybe a move to France or Italy as a new experience and challenge. It's good to know the realities of such a change. I live in Los Angeles now. Which I love but real estate here is out of control. One thing that I love about LA is our diversity. I have my options of Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Korean, Peruvian, etc. cuisine. I assume that may be one of the sacrifices of living in France. As a New Jersey girl, you must miss a great NJ style slice.
Those photos are an awesome idea. Yours are beautiful.
Thank you so much!
A well balanced video. Although I feel (even though I have never been there) the US has as many different areas of interest and this could also be said of the UK whence I came. Some 20 years ago, my wife and I came to France having holidayed here for many years. We wanted to improve our French even before we decided to move and took lessons. We thought we were fairly proficient. Then we arrived! Amazing how much vocab you need when running a gite complex with a bar. A steep learning curve that has Flattened a bit as time has gone on. We anticipated the bureaucracy and brought lots of copies of any and every document we thought we might need. This caused astonishment at the prefecture when we actually had brought our Grandfather's birth and death certificates and slapped them on the table when asked (I Joke) but you get the idea. After selling our first venture, I got a job with a major insurance company who were looking for someone to tap the English immigrant market. I don't know how I managed to pass the training, the language learning curve had just got a lot steeper. And the meetings! I couldn't get most of the jokes but somehow I managed to sell some health top-up and investment policies and your point about the food culture - first question at any meeting was 'where are we going for lunch?' After retiring, life is a bit calmer although I continue to learn parts of the language that I hadn't encountered before such as Backslang, similar to how the English do it. A video on this might be fun! The cons we have are not as heavy as yours seem to be - missing a decent Curry or Hong Kong type Chinese meal are the main ones. And the pros - same as yours - the politeness, healthcare, gastronomy, pace of life and work/life balance. Keep up the good work!
4:20 That's very good advice!
Diane, I love your videos. They are refreshingly honest, practical and fun !
Thank you so much!
@@OuiInFrance You're welcome! 🌻
Very balanced and on-point information. I like your approach.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thankyou for this video, our manner of speaking is very engaging.
I lived in Paris for 2 years from 2004-2006 & loved it so much! I had to come back to California for work though... Lucky You living in France since 2012!
Hope Cali is treating you well! ;-)
I am amazed when you made this list how much Canada and France are alike. Healthcare, bureaucracy and high taxes!
Hi Diane ! Thank you so much for making such an insightful & informative video. We are currently looking to buy a 2nd home in France, and you have definately given us lots to think about. Paul & Melanie (Scotland) x
Glad it was helpful and best of luck ;-)
Merci beaucoup for this. It's so lovely to watch your informative videos. But I would like to say that the discussion of health care - not just France, it's pretty well the whole world except for the US.
Lovely explained.
Thank you !!
You're welcome!
Great video! I agree with all you said 👍
Thank you for watching!
Excellent summary, though in the case of "everyone pays into the system" it is more a case of some pay in very little and receive a whole lot back, and some pay masses in and get little back.
For those used to working very long hours and getting a great salary, when living in France, be prepared for whole chunks of that great salary to be taken from you, but you'll still be expected to put in the very long hours.
Bonjour Diane! WOW! Great video!! I learn so much from you!! I would really appreciate a video about France's health care system! Wonderful idea! Also, I could see your sadness when you spoke about missing your family. That must be very painful. I hope you can be reunited soon!! Take care and thank you for all your hard work! :)
Hi there, so glad you're enjoying my content! Re healthcare, I have a video up about going to the doctor in France as well as the dentist if those are of interest. ;-)
@@OuiInFrance Hi! I watched both recently and found them to be so informative and amusing! Thank you!
I'd love to win the notebook. Very enjoyable, positive and balanced video. I'm not sure that I would list learning French as a con. Thanks.
Greetings, Jersey Girl!
How I appreciate your witnessing to life on life's terms - yet with fearless dedication & congeniality !!
My year in France happened, very
surprisingly, on the way home from Germany! The plane had a connection in Paris and that was enough for me to be hit by the THUNDERBOLT through "a close encounter of the 3rd kind"
with the mysterious FRENCH LANGUAGE (musical in tone, precise in high level delivery, and romantic in the way linguistic rules are actually suspended to achieve a more beautiful phonetic sound!
Daily & structured
French language immersion online, or in person, (a month, a season, a semester for anyone who can do this!!!) helps to make progress more quickly
Daily time in language labs helps too because the spoken French IS almost a separate language from what is written....
Encouragement of culturally refined native professors - can greatly enhance the experience. ( I found my intensive efforts euphoric overall - even if painfully overwhelming at times!!)
The huge surprise BONUS is:
The better one begins to communicate in French, the more graciously one is treated BY the French who LOVE their language, their country, AND
ANYONE WHO demonstrates an appreciative commitment to adopting it. 🌹
Thank you so very much
for your videos, I look forward to enjoying more of them 🎆
Hi Diane. I was born in Dijon, France and I grew up in Dallas, Texas. I read somewhere online that they are sister cities, but I have no clue what that means, or how that works. Any chance of a video on this topic? Thank you for all the content!
Lived in Indonesia for a long time many of these points apply there, despite the obvious cultural and geographical differences, not leadt travel pretty much all over Asia, and the food culture, locally and more widely in Asia. Being a 40 minute ferry ride from Singapore also helps. Healthcare is a downer, with local healthcare is rather basic, or extremely expensive in Singapore. Work-life balance is good here, as a teacher, though I do find I am never treated like a local, as I am not exactly blending in at the best of times.
Local bureaucracy is, ahh, an experience, and I prefer not to get involved with bureaucracy anywhere. Language was hard for me, but worth it even though I "am always the foreigner". I found being away from Australia wasn't a big issue for me, but I know other expats who struggle, given we mostly come from developed nations and are living and working in a developing country and there are issues that can arise that we might not have considered.
I
Bonjour Diane!
I have not lived abroad but I have lived at a distance from family and friends for 30ish years. I agree with the and second the number one con. It has weighed heavily on me over the years and I made the bold move to move back home in 2019. It has not been what I expected due to the pandemic, but was right for me.
Saulte Bernadette
Thanks for sharing, Bernadette! Hope you can settle into your "new" life better once the pandemic goes away. Here's to hoping!
@@OuiInFrance thanks!
Great video, Diane.....I am curious, do you and your husband usually converse with each other in French, English or a combination of both? My husband is German and I am American. He is fluent in both languages but my German is not very advanced so we usually speak English with some German phrases and words thrown in the mix.
When I was trying to leave Paris I went to the American Embassy to get a passport for my infant daughter. They said no no no you have to go to the French passport office. I think I made about 8 round trips between those two before the Americans finally said okay will give you a passport. But I'd still rather be in Paris
Whenever I met Americans of the type described by de Tocqueville in "Democracy in America (1836 & 1840)" who say that the French are rude, lazy and God forbid socialist, I asked them, "Have you ever met a French person?" to which the answer invariably is, "No." It's refreshing to have found such informed and intelligent reporting and discussion outside of sensationalized and baiting mainstream American media. I've always wanted to live in France, but life in Tokyo has been wonderful. It's easy to find fabulous wine, bread, cheese, and yes, French people to hang out with. I too love all the things you mentioned, but will add a secret passion of seeking out "lavoirs". It's easy to find one wherever there's a river or a stream.
The "cons" that you mentioned actually have a positive side to them if one can step away from an American mindset. For example, high taxes are levied across the board, whereas in the U.S. the rich pay a disproportionately smaller amount than poor people.
But you can't get a fast appointment with a specialist even here in NYC!The usual wait is 2-3 months (unless you have a friend whose dad is the specialist or some other connection).
Great video. Love your candor. I think about the same issues of living abroad, but my abroad is Mexico, more like one foot off-base! I also think Spanish is easier to become competent in than French. Long time dream is to live in Paris for at least a year. Who knows. Question, if I may inquire, did you move to France and fall in love, or did you fall in love and move to France?
Spanish is much harder to learn than French. The Spanish grammar is a nightmare. I know: I speak Spanish
@@iparipaitegianiparipaitegi4643 I agree. I speak French reasonably well but I am finding Spanish really difficult. Many people think Spanish is easy, but the verbs are incredibly complex.
I have been living in the US for 15 years and I can’t guarantee you no one can claim to know what bureaucracy is until they have to deal with the US healthcare system. Utter nightmare. Makes any French administrative procedure a breeze. The Con #3 about taxes and social charges are real, no doubt about it.
Lol yes I make lists too!
@Oui in France
Diane, Thank you for your excellent videos - I have only seen a few of them, but plan to watch more. "France takes care of its people" I like that! I am planning on moving abroad (not to France, but South America - Argentina, Chile, or Bolivia), and I have a couple of questions for you: 1) What was your initial reason for moving to France (was it for school, for work, etc.)? and 2) Could you speak French before you moved there?
I agree that it is a BIG decision to move abroad. Luckily, I already speak Spanish fluently - I studied it in High School and I have a B.A. in Spanish, and I live in SoCal so I travel to México often and have friends there. However, I don't know much of the regional slang, etc. from South America. Even though I don't have much family (I'm single & don't have kids), it is a long way from home and it's a little scary making the decision to leave the comfort & familiarity of home to live in a foreign country. However, I really want to do this. When I was in University, I actually got accepted into a (very competitive) Study Abroad program in Granada, Spain, but I chickened out and didn't do it because I was scared (I was also younger and more insecure back then). Any advice that you have on preparing to move abroad would be greatly appreciated, but for now I'll watch your videos because I am learning a lot from them. Thank you for your time.
Max
Hi there, glad you're enjoying my content, Max!
To answer your questions: 1) Long story short, I first came to France to teach English with TAPIF, then went back to the USA, then moved here for good after marrying my French husband and decided we wanted to start our life together in France. More details on my backstory here: ruclips.net/video/l4FKYplf2f0/видео.html
2) I never studied abroad or studied French at the university level but had been taking classes at the Alliance Francaise for fun back before I moved. I was at a low intermediate level before moving, with my writing and reading skills much better than actual speaking/oral comprehension.
The first couple of years in France were the roughest in terms of the language because I had a hard time shifting from stress-free classroom French to being in real-life situations. I'd hear a jumbling of sounds, too fast, too much to grasp much. Sometimes I'd ask someone to write something down because I had such a hard time deciphering words in real time, especially w/o context. I was good at the supermarket or in situations with routine conversations but it was so hard to improve oral comprehension in everyday life. I'd catch the first half of the phrase, the who and the why but the end of the sentence would be a jumble. It was really frustrating! That improved over time thank goodness but was a challenging, uphill battle to get that oral comprehension up to speed.
Hope that helps and if you want to move abroad, keep researching, take the steps to make it a reality and you'll get there. ;-)
I moved away from my country to US 39 years ago and was never able to go visit it's very hard but that's life.
I've toured in France three times in the last ten years. It has helped a bit that I had seven years of French growing up in the Midwest, but that was fifty years ago, so I've lost 98% of what I knew back then. Is there a RUclips channel or similar that you would recommend so I can do much better when I return, God willing?